Thanks for reading the post. We have so made so many contributions in the engineering fields that our youth are not made aware of. Not to mention the folks whose innovations were not credited to them. Our youth struggle to see themselves in these fields. Many have actually expressed to me personally. But that is changing. Thanks for posting Zora’s story. I will absolutely share her story. This is the kind of story I would like to see in OUR media.

Kai Ajala Dupe

Thank you for this overview and reminder of our history. I totally concur with your sentiments here. Our young people are ultimately distracted by and with the instant gratification of technology as users; not with the longevity that being the architect and developers of such innovation can bring. “WE” are too often on the other side of the matter, which keeps us behind the “8-ball” in this arena and many others. However, that is in this generation.

Unlike our ancestors who had to “MAKE” their way and “A” way out of no way, our children are no longer required to think critically, analytically, or even creatively. These are lost processes in our academic institutions beginning from kindergarten and going through college. Dare I say, even in the “home.” This is where the foundation of learning begins and many of these foundations are cracked and thus the ground shifting under our children’s feet. Sigh… :/

However, there is good news. There is hope. Just today Tuesday 2/5/13, a 7 yr old African American girl named Zora Ball (I love her first name) was noted as the youngest person ever to develop a mobile game app. In case you missed it, here is the link to the story. Read it, share it, tweet it and be further inspired. I know I am.

http://www.heavy.com/tech/2013/01/seven-year-old-mobile-gaming-app-developer/

Best,
Dr. Deborah